Recent Posts

Mosquito Fleet Act Seeks to Throw Ferry-Oriented Communities a Lifeline

The proposal to empower local governments across Puget Sound to set up their own passenger ferry districts fell short in the Senate after passing the House last year. Its sponsor is pushing even harder this year, seeking to bolster the precarious state ferry system.

Op-Ed: How to Fix Seattle’s Plan to Expand Lower Woodland Playfields

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is seeking to add a new football/soccer hybrid field for Lincoln High School in Lower Woodland Park, but has chosen a plan that prioritizes parking over accessibility and events, scrapping a recently rebuilt soccer field and historic trees to cram two fields into a footprint that’s too small. The community has proposed an alternative utilizing a gravel parking lot to site a soccer field.

Sunday Video: What Drives Bikeshare Success and Mediocrity?

Bikeshare growth has waxed and waned over the years. The impact of systems vary greatly today in terms of cost, coverage, equipment availability, and compatibility. Uytae Lee of About Here digs into what sets apart North American bikeshare systems.
The domed Olympia Capitol Building stands in the distance with a bus stop with a passenger waiting in the foreground. A dogwalker also mosey on the lawn.

Washington Legislature Toys with Age Verification for Big Tech

Lawmakers are aiming to add guardrails to the most addictive social media sites when it comes to usage by kids. But privacy and civil rights advocates are warning of significant unintended consequences.

Vehicle Barrier Plan for Pike Place Market Comes Into View

SDOT's plan for adding barricades ahead of this summer's World Cup leans heavily on planters and movable barricades. While the infrastructure could ultimately form a template for longer-term upgrades, these changes look to be quick and dirty and aimed at protecting pedestrians as Seattle opens itself to the world stage.
An aerial view of the I-90 bridge with a row of westbound cars and a group of construction workers following a light rail vehicle along the center tracks during the tow testing.

Urbanist Podcast: Crosslake Light Rail + ICE-Triggered Constitutional Crisis

In this episode of The Urbanist Podcast, our newsroom discusses what the crosslake 2 Line opening will means for the region, what removing Claudia Balducci as System Expansion Committee Chair means for Sound Transit, and what the region is doing to address a constitutional crisis created by Trump's illegal campaign of mass deportation.

Bellevue Adds Hurdles to Old Main Redevelopment to Preserve ‘Cultural Value’

The new regulations, which will stay in place for at least six months, require either façade preservation for older buildings or new façades that match them. Though the goal is to maintain Main Street's pedestrian friendly atmosphere, little remains in place to prevent small business displacement from Old Bellevue.

Issaquah Pitches Case for Keeping Its Light Rail Line on Track

The $5.6 billion to $6.3 billion light rail line between South Kirkland and Issaquah is currently set to open by 2044 but could see further delays. Newly elected Mayor Mark Mullet wants the project to serve as an example of how to get creative in response to funding shortfalls.